Of the 110 kids that graduated from his high school in Jersey City, N.J., he estimated all but six are working at supermarket ShopRite, in jail or dead. He managed to escape by joining the Navy and did eight years as a machinist on ships at sea.

At first, fighting was a way to stay out of trouble after the Navy discharged him. Now, he’s fighting to support four kids, and after five-plus years in the minor leagues, the time to make his mark has arrived.

“I can make it to the UFC and stay there for three to five years; I can secure my children’s future in college,” Paulino, who faces Mike Pierce (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC on Versus 1 this Sunday, told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

It’s also a chance to get some payback.

In November 2007, Paulino dropped to welterweight and lost a decision to now-UFC welterweight Rick Story, a close friend and training partner to Pierce. He said the weight cut sapped his ability to fight and Story “layed and prayed” to victory.

“I’ve been calling Ricky Story out since the loss because I wanted a chance to fight him when I was 100 percent me,” Paulino said. “From what I understand, Mike Pierce is ranked above Rick Story. So if I beat Mike Pierce, that kills two birds with one stone.”

Since Story, Paulino has stopped his past seven opponents with five victories by TKO or KO.

Nicknamed the “Dominican Demon,” the 34-year-old Paulino wrestled in the Navy and followed a girl to Alaska after discharge. He took up boxing and fought on local cards. He didn’t want to end up like his old classmates.

“I reigned supreme (on the boxing shows),” Paulino said.

When MMA became popular, he started training in jiu jitsu and made his MMA debut in January 2005 for the Alaska Fighting Championships.

“It put me in a gym surrounded by people (where) you have a group of friends and you consider them family,” he said. “By the time you leave, you’re leaving with smiles and laughs. You don’t have to take it out on your kids or your wife. It’s a healthy relationship I had with the sport.”

Then Paulino saw the money to be made in MMA and decided it was a way to support his family.

It wasn’t until he fought stateside that he caught the UFC’s eye. This past September, he knocked out UFC veteran Terry Martin, and five months later, defended his AFC middleweight belt with a TKO win over another UFC veteran, Rob Yundt.

Around the same time, his relationship began to fall apart, but he continued to chase his dream.

“It was a passion that I knew I would kick myself if I ever stopped,” Paulino said. “As they say in poker, I was pot-committed.”

Now, he is determined to stay in his children’s lives as he reaches for the stars. When a fight approaches, he consults them on what song to use for his entrance.

“If they approve my entry song, it will be one that’s never been heard in the UFC before,” he said.

Sunday’s song in question will remain a secret.

Paulino expected to fight for Strikeforce before he made it to the UFC, but when Pierce’s original opponent, Rob Kimmons, was forced to withdraw with injury, he jumped at the chance to fight in the octagon.

Although Pierce is known for solid wrestling skills, Paulino is convinced the fight won’t be a battle for takedowns.

“If [Pierce] tries that, he loses and embarrasses himself, and the UFC’s not going to want to have anything to do with him,” Paulino said. “So he’s going to want to try and stand up, which is going to be an even bigger mistake.”

The UFC rookie is convinced his future looks bright.

“Either way, [Pierce is] going to be embarrassed,” Paulino said. “He’s going to underestimate me, and it’s going to be a bad night for him.”

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